Devotional Thought

One of the hardest questions in the Christian faith is why a loving and all-powerful God would allow suffering. It’s a question that has challenged believers for centuries, and one that can feel intensely personal when we walk through our own seasons of pain.

Scripture doesn’t offer a single, simple answer, but it does provide profound insights into the nature of suffering and God’s purpose in it. As Dr. Vince Vitale highlighted, one essential truth is that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Just as a child cannot fully grasp the reasons a loving parent might allow a painful but necessary medical procedure, we may not always understand God’s purposes in our suffering.

Yet, God does not stand distant from our pain. The heart of the Christian message is that God Himself chose to enter into human suffering through Jesus Christ. On the cross, Jesus absorbed the full weight of human brokenness, choosing to suffer alongside and for us (Matthew 27:46, Isaiah 53:3-5). This means that, while we may not have all the answers, we do have a God who truly understands our pain.

Moreover, suffering often plays a critical role in forming our character and deepening our relationship with God. As Paul writes in Romans 5:3-5, “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” While this doesn’t erase the pain, it gives it a redemptive purpose.

Finally, the Christian story is one of hope. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin and death, we too look forward to a day when every tear will be wiped away and suffering will be no more (Revelation 21:4). Until then, we walk by faith, trusting in the God who has already proven His love for us in the most profound way possible.

Reflection Questions:

1. How did your journey with faith begin? Were there moments of doubt or intense questioning along the way?

2. Dr. Vitale's community encouraged his tough questions, viewing them as opportunities rather than threats. How has your community responded to your own hard questions about faith?

3. How does the fact that Jesus chose to suffer for us impact your perspective on your own pain? See Matthew 26:38.

4. Have you ever seen God use a season of suffering to shape your character or strengthen your faith? What did you learn through that experience?

5. Reflect on Isaiah 55:8-9. How does that passage help shape your perspective of God?

‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD, ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’

-Isaiah 55:8-9

6. How does the future hope presented in Revelation 21:14 change the way you can experience suffering? 

Action Step

Choose one verse or passage to meditate on this week that reminds you of the hope God offers, even in the midst of suffering. Let it shape the way you approach your challenges.

Here are a few to consider:

• Isaiah 55:8-9 – A reminder that God’s ways are higher than ours, even when we don’t understand.

• Romans 5:3-5 – A passage that speaks to how suffering can produce perseverance, character, and hope.

• Revelation 21:4 – The promise of a future without pain or suffering.

• Psalm 34:18 – A reminder that God is close to the brokenhearted.

• 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – An encouragement to focus on what is eternal, not just what is seen.

• Matthew 26:38-39 – Jesus’ own prayer in the garden, showing us how to bring our deepest pain to God.